(File)

Nablus (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces took over 11 Palestinian homes in Huwwara village in the northern West Bank district of Nablus on Monday to use as temporary military sites.

Fatah spokesman in Huwwara Awwad Najim told Ma'an that Israeli forces put barbed wires around the houses on Sunday night and Monday morning, installed cameras and set out military outposts in the area.

The army’s move came after an empty settler bus was reportedly attacked with “steel balls” near Huwwara south of Nablus city on Sunday evening.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an that “following an attack yesterday with steel bullets,” Israeli forces set up “temporary viewpoints in the area to overlook the road for security measures.”

She confirmed to Ma’an that the structures seized were Palestinian homes, although she said she did not have information regarding whether Palestinians were residing in the homes when they were taken over.

Najim said that Israeli forces threatened to impose more punishment on Huwwara residents, including closing shops, if similar attacks occurred again.